Strange Reaction to Deodorant

[BabyFireFly]

Hey there! I've never had an issue with allergies or allergic reactions my entire life, and recently developed a reaction to my deodorant and was wondering if anyone had any insight. I switched deodorants about a month and a half ago because my previous product was no longer available. I purchased a stick of all natural deodorant from the woman who I purchase my soap from and it worked very well - both my DH and I were using it and we both loved it. For about three weeks I had no issues, then one day I noticed that my underarms were starting to look a little red. Then the redness turned a bit painful and I developed a lump in the center of my one armpit. Thinking that I had developed an irritation from shaving, ingrown hairs or even my clothing rubbing my pits (I'm 40 weeks +1 day pregnant at this point so things have a tendency to chafe haha) I stopped shaving and using anything aside from water to clean under my arms until it cleared up. I also was beginning to think I had some strange lymph node thing or even a malfunctioning milk duct...but after a few days of just water on the pits, it all went away. So I went back to using my normal soap and deodorant, but not shaving, and wouldn't you know it the redness came back just a few hours after showering and putting on the deodorant. So I stopped using the deodorant and just washed with soap and water and let my pits be naked.....and everything is fine. My husband has had no reaction and is still using it with great success.

Here are the ingredients:

Grapeseed Oil

Jojoba Oil

Essential oil of Patchouli (the same that is used in the soaps I use)

Beeswax (also sourced the same as the soap I use)

Baking Soda (I've used bicarb based deodorants before, but I know some people develop a reaction if it is in the incorrect ratio)

Corn Starch

Arrowroot Powder

Any ideas?

Today as an experiment I dusted my armpits with a simple mixture of Corn Starch (pure) and Baking Soda in equal ratios....waiting to see if anything happens.

[JoyMC]

hmmm. i have no idea. but if you want to play around, i make my own deodorant that sounds very similar - just combine equal parts coconut oil, baking soda, and arrowroot OR cornstarch (so if it turns out you are reacting to one of those, you could keep up the same general idea but cut out the offending powder), then a few drops of whatever EO you like for scent.

good luck!

[mamaliberty]

I am 51/2 months pregnant and have also developed wierd reactions to shaving and deodorant (I use Dove Sensitive). I have tried natural deodorants too but the same type of thing happens. I get very red and raw and lots of bumps.

[CoBabyMaker]

I started getting VERY itchy from deodorants too.  I make the same one JoyMC does using arrowroot and tea tree oil.  I haven't had any issues with it now.

[ocelotmom]

While I was pregnant, I had to stop using my homemade deodorant (just coconut oil, baking soda, and cornstarch) for the same reason.

I'm using it again now without a problem - didn't try it again until 5 months postpartum so I can't say when exactly it started being ok again.

[BabyFireFly]

Thanks for all the insight! My little experiment only lasted a day since I gave birth on the 21st and have just been going without since I don't really want to deal with any armpit issues while I'm establishing  breastfeeding. I am going to try  the coconut oil suggestion and see how that goes once I start to care again whether or not I stink haha.